Little North are so much more convincing with added vibes and sax.
Once students in southern Denmark, pianist Benjamin Nørholm Jacobsen, bassist Martin Brunbjerg Rasmussen and drummer Lasse Jacobsen have built their sound doggedly in the crowded piano trio field down the years. But the vital spark of additional instruments here moves their sound into a kind of terra incognita they acclimatise to well.
Whoever came up with the idea of recording at a studio in Brooklyn and inviting US vibist Joel Ross to join them clearly has pulled off a masterstroke. The tune written in his honour ‘Ross’ is a delight. And Swedish saxophonist Hannes Bennich is good too – he reminds me of the formidable technique that Norwegian saxist Marius Neset possesses.
But it’s really Ross who makes all the difference hammering out long runs on ‘Hold on’ that grab you by the lapels and demand attention.
Not to be outdone though on ‘Into Insanity’ Bennich provides a different kind of energy, his incisive, modern phrasing pushing against the trio’s cyclical patterns and introducing a welcome sense of tension.
Little North even fall back into the role of engaged spectators on some of these passages involving their guests. But to be fair they do cook up admirable support and the album makes mincemeat of the tired old niceties and manicured hush often found on so many piano trio forays. There’s no need to push the snooze button here in the pursuit of extra kip. Instead it’s a wake up call when you realise that the Scandi jazzers have turned a corner.